Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office Programs
The Massachusetts Historical Commission, office of the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), administers several programs created by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA). These programs have widespread impact around the state, adding value and benefit to nearly every community or county in Massachusetts.
The National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), recognizes those properties that are considered important in our past and worthy of preservation. Listing in the NRHP places no restriction upon a private property owner, who may alter or dispose of their property in any way they wish without any prior approvals. NRHP listing does help protect properties from potentially harmful federal and state actions. Massachusetts has approximately 4,250 NRHP listings that encompass more than 73,000 properties across the state.
Federal Reinvestment Tax Incentive Program
The Massachusetts SHPO administers the historic rehabilitation tax credit program, the nation’s largest federal incentive through private investment in the revitalization and reuse of historic buildings. This program allows the owner of an income-producing historic structure to receive 20 percent of the amount spent on qualified rehabilitation costs as a federal income tax credit. In 2014, 48 projects with over $300 million of private construction investment were completed throughthe program in Massachusetts. This program has created thousands of temporary and permanent jobs. In addition, tens of thousands of new affordable or market- rate residential rental apartments have been made available for low-income and middle-class families unable to afford to buy their own homes in Massachusetts.
State Historic and Archaeological Sites Records Management
The SHPO is the state repository for documentation of all recorded historic and archaeological sites in Massachusetts. The current Inventory of Historic and Archaeological Assets of the Commonwealth consists of more than 216,000 historic and archaeological site records, managed through publicly accessible database and GIS – the Massachusetts Cultural Resource Information System (MACRIS and MACRIS Maps). These records provide information to researchers and agencies for preservation planning, local planning efforts, academic research, compliance with federal and state regulations, and the evaluation of properties for the National Register of Historic Places. The Massachusetts SHPO added over 2,200 new historic property and site records to its inventory in 2014.
Federal Project Review
Under Section 106 of the NHPA, federal agencies are required to consult with the SHPOs whenever federal funding, licenses, permits, or land are involved in a project. The Massachusetts SHPO ensures that appropriate consideration is given to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential impacts to Massachusetts’ irreplaceable cultural resources. The Massachusetts SHPO reviews and comments on approximately 2,500 federal projects each year.
The Certified Local Government Program
The Certified Local Government (CLG) program is the SHPO’s voluntary partnership program with local governments that have passed historic preservation ordinances and established local historic preservation commissions. Each year, the Massachusetts SHPO passes through 10 percent of its Historic Preservation Fund grant to CLGs in the form of matching grants. Over $90,000 a year reaches CLG municipalities throughout Massachusetts to assist them in pursuing their own preservation priorities. Massachusetts has 22 cities and towns designated as CLGs. As budgetary considerations allow, the SHPO passes through additional Historic Preservation Fund grants available to all Local Historical Commissions through its annual, competitive Survey and Planning grants program.